Fear

The sermon explores the concept of the 'fear of God,' defining it not as terror, but as profound reverence and awe for God's holiness. It emphasizes that true fear of God leads to a life of obedience and a desire to please Him, which is a source of deep encouragement for the believer.

The central message is that true freedom from fear comes from deeply knowing and experiencing God as our Father. The speaker uses the Prodigal Son narrative to illustrate that acceptance is based on God's unconditional love, not on our perfect feelings of guilt or repentance. Furthermore, he argues that even Jesus had to grasp the truth of God the Father by faith, suggesting that our own faith must similarly anchor us against doubt and anxiety.

The central message is that God's eternal purpose for humanity is to be a testament to His kingdom, which requires reflecting the true Christ. The speaker emphasizes that merely having an external experience of the Holy Spirit (like those in the Old Testament) is insufficient; true fullness comes when the Spirit dwells *within* the believer's heart, a possibility opened by Jesus' sacrifice. This internal filling empowers believers for boldness and witness.

The central message emphasizes that the fear of the Lord, or reverence for God, is the foundation of all wisdom, drawing from Proverbs 9:10. The speaker stresses that this reverence must be taught to children from a young age, paralleling the importance of foundational education. He warns that skipping this foundational teaching and jumping directly to the doctrine of grace leads to a misunderstanding of God's standards, resulting in spiritual laxity and a lack of respect for authority.

The speaker advises against making life decisions based on the extremes of fear or overconfidence, emphasizing that true wisdom comes from trusting in the Lord rather than one's own knowledge. He stresses that believers must rely on God's leading and that memorizing scripture is crucial so that one can draw encouragement from God's Word during personal trials and help others.

The central message is that true spiritual victory and making enemies a footstool for your feet come from yielding one's life completely to God, rather than trying to manage life's outcomes. The speaker warns that holding back even a small part of oneself for the world results in a lost soul. Salvation and victory are found by crucifying the self and sitting in the position of authority at the Lord's right hand, accepting God's grace.

The central message is that the beginning of true wisdom and knowledge is the fear of the Lord, as stated in Proverbs 9:10. This fear is not merely intellectual understanding but a deep reverence that leads to immediate action and a desire to turn away from sin. True change requires more than just feeling bad about sin; it demands a new intention and action plan guided by the Holy Spirit.

The message emphasizes that the ultimate hope for believers is not merely the second coming of Christ, but rather to become like Him when He returns. The speaker draws a parallel to a marathon race, stating that while freedom from suffering and sickness is desirable, it is secondary to the goal of Christ-likeness. The core message urges believers to press toward this ultimate goal of transformation.

The central message is that true Christianity requires a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, not just adherence to religious practices. The speaker argues that merely belonging to a church or undergoing rituals like baptism or speaking in tongues is insufficient for eternal life. True life comes from knowing God and Jesus Christ intimately, which provides a profound sense of security, like knowing one's father and mother.

Zac Poonen delivers a sermon celebrating CFC's 50th anniversary, emphasizing God's faithfulness, blessings, and spiritual inheritance in Christ as revealed in Ephesians 1. He calls the congregation to gratitude and worship, reminding them of God's redemptive promises and encouraging them to remember that Satan's future is defeat while God's promises are eternal.

The sermon uses the account of Jesus calming the storm to teach that true discipleship requires overcoming the fear of death, which the speaker identifies as the highest form of slavery. Jesus's death, according to the speaker, was not only to forgive sins but also to render Satan powerless and deliver humanity from the fear of death. Overcoming this fear is achieved not through mental effort, but through receiving God's deliverance by faith.

This video captures the 50th Anniversary Celebration of CFC Bangalore, featuring multiple speakers and segments. Key themes addressed include maintaining unity within the CFC leadership, building strong families, and the impact of the church. The event concludes with reflections on the church's growth and divine planting.

The speaker emphasizes that discipleship and faith are central themes of Jesus' teachings, warning against misunderstanding faith as merely experiencing miracles. He stresses the importance of reading and meditating on the whole Scripture, noting that while the Old Covenant was superseded by the higher standard of the Holy Spirit in the New Covenant, all Scripture remains God-breathed and profitable for teaching, correction, and reproof. True knowledge of God's love is evidenced by experiencing His discipline and correction when straying from the path.

The speaker emphasizes that while love for God is important, the equally vital aspect is the 'fear of God.' He draws from scripture to show that this reverence is necessary for understanding God's mysteries and for God to guide one's path. Ultimately, the fear of God is presented as a necessary component of a full walk with Christ, mirroring the life of Jesus.

To remain consistently filled with the Holy Spirit, one must actively desire it, which requires valuing God above all else. This desire must be coupled with faith, meaning one trusts God to work in their life. Furthermore, maintaining this spiritual life requires keeping one's conscience clear by immediately confessing sin, and practicing humility by going down in the world rather than defending oneself.

The central message emphasizes that living a godly life requires pursuing humility and the fear of the Lord, which are presented as inseparable. The speaker argues that the enemy is not the devil, but rather the flesh within us, and that perfecting holiness—becoming more Christ-like—is achieved through the fear of God. This sensitivity to sin is crucial, especially in relationships like marriage, where quick repentance and forgiveness are vital.

The sermon is a worship service focused on praising God for His perfect work, faithfulness, and justice. It repeatedly emphasizes themes of redemption through the blood of the Lamb and the glory to be given to the Father through Jesus. The message encourages the congregation to worship with all their hearts and to acknowledge God's greatness.

The central message is that having the fear of God is essential for navigating life's dangers, which are compared to snares, nets, and chains. The speaker emphasizes that this fear acts like a spiritual sense, allowing one to detect worldly temptations, flattery, and sin. By maintaining a fear of God, believers can escape the traps set by the world's pleasures, riches, and honors, as exemplified by Joseph's faithfulness.

The speaker emphasizes that true Christian intimacy with God requires more than mere religious activity; it demands a deep, private relationship akin to a marital bond. He draws parallels between the holiness required in the Old Covenant priesthood and the need for believers to approach God with reverence, moving beyond superficial acts of service. Ultimately, this intimate relationship is presented as the model for the believer's connection to Christ.

The speaker emphasizes that true Christian life requires a reverential fear of God, which is distinct from the fear of man or fear of death. Living according to one's former lusts indicates ignorance of God, whereas the believer must strive for holiness because God is holy. This reverence is presented as the foundation for freedom, contrasting with the danger of falling into a 'no covenant' state where fear of God is absent.

The speaker emphasizes that true Christians must anchor themselves in the sovereignty of God, acknowledging that His ways and thoughts surpass human understanding. He stresses that the ultimate goal of God's plan is for all people to repent, and while we must be cautious in life, we must also maintain common sense. Furthermore, he advises that parents should be honest about their knowledge gaps when raising children and encourage reading foundational Christian literature to learn the basic truths.

The speaker discusses the attribute of God being a 'jealous God' as stated in Exodus 20:5. He clarifies that this jealousy is not a negative emotion, but rather a protective zeal ensuring exclusive devotion. This divine jealousy is likened to the faithfulness expected in a marital relationship, emphasizing that God desires exclusive love and worship.

The speaker emphasizes that all work, whether paid or done at home, has eternal value when done unto the Lord. He then shifts focus to the profound cost of Jesus' sacrifice, questioning why it required such brutal suffering. The central message is that understanding this immense love should compel the listener to live today with a perspective of eternity, choosing actions and attitudes that will bring gratitude when looking back.

The sermon is largely a collection of worship songs and devotional readings, focusing heavily on praising God's majesty, the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and the themes of salvation and redemption. The speaker encourages the congregation to praise God through all creation and to find refuge and strength in Christ's atoning work.